Computer Games Development with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
Buckinghamshire New University
Key Course Facts
Student Reviews
Below you can see course specific reviews of 15 graduates of Computer Games Development with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) and other courses in Computer Games and Animation at Buckinghamshire New University for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Computer Games and Animation.
All Computer Games and Animation courses of Buckinghamshire New University
Salary
Salary of Graduates in Computing
Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Computer Games and Animation at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.
15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
---|---|---|---|
Median salary | £24000 | £23500 | £26500 |
25-75 percentile range | £21000 - £25500 | £17500 - £28500 | £21000 - £33000 |
All Computing courses of Buckinghamshire New University
Salary of all UK Graduates of Computing
15 months after graduation | 3 years after graduation | 5 years after graduation | |
---|---|---|---|
Median salary | £23390 | £20411 | £24692 |
25-75 percentile range | £19866 - £26906 | £14825 - £25703 | £18756 - £32023 |
All Computing courses in the UK
Course Description
Love playing videogames? Why not be part of a team that develops them? On our practical degree, you will have the opportunity to gain technical skills and theoretical knowledge to help you become a confident and competent computer games developer. From programming, software design and asset development to character animation, this course will cover the industry latest to help you stay up-to-date, ensuring you’re ready for the working world upon graduation.
This course is offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme.
Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?
This degree will help you gain a strong knowledge and competence in software development, focusing on your development of software for computer games. It provides a balance of theory and practice in software engineering, systems, computing and games development, preparing you for employment in this exciting field. While the course focuses on software development in the context of games, the skills and knowledge you acquire are equally applicable to the production of software for sectors such as banking, manufacturing and retail.
The relevance of the degree is also underpinned by the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) Curriculum Framework (2008). We are a member of the PlayStation® Vita Academic Development Programme run by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe (SCEE), which provides access to professional console development hardware and software tools.
We are an NVIDIA CUDA Teaching Centre. We are also a member of TIGA, the trade association representing the UK's games industry.
Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers.
What will I study?
During the first year you will develop your programming skills (C#) and apply them to the development of 2D mobile and console games and 3D levels within a commercial game engine. Other modules provide a taste of other disciplines in the games industry, including an introduction to games design and 3D modelling.
In second year you will continue to develop your programming skills (C ) and apply them to the development of realistic AI and graphical applications using a graphics library. You'll be taught about the processes involved in managing the development of complex games in large teams and as a member of your own team, develop a game in collaboration with students on other courses.
During your third year, you will develop a physics engine and integrate it into a games engine. You will also extend your understanding of the more complex AI techniques used in games and gain an insight into how games companies operate. A major component of the final year is the project, which provides an opportunity to develop a game or related software application.
What are my career prospects?
You will be well placed to pursue a career within the growing games and media sectors. Alternatively, you may use the transferable skills gained to follow a career in the mainstream software industry.
Jobs & Career Perspectives
15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.
All Computer Games and Animation courses of Buckinghamshire New University
Current jobs
All courses of Buckinghamshire New University
Required skill level of job after 15 months
All Computer Games and Animation courses of Buckinghamshire New University
Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)
Example below based on all graduates of Computer Games Development with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) at Buckinghamshire New University
30% | Protective service occupations |
15% | Managers, directors and senior officials |
10% | Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation |
10% | Administrative occupations |
10% | Other Health Professionals |
5% | Sales occupations |
5% | Caring personal services |
5% | Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation |
5% | Sales occupations |
5% | Protective service occupations |
Entry Requirements / Admissions
UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Computer Games and Animation
All Computer Games and Animation courses of Buckinghamshire New University
Requirements for international students / English requirements
IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)
-
- 6.5
- All other courses
-
- 6.5
- Graduate Degrees
-
- 6.0
- Undergraduate Degrees
Costs
Tuition Fees Computer Games Development with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
England UK | £9250 | year 1 |
---|---|---|
Northern Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
Scotland | £9250 | year 1 |
Wales | £9250 | year 1 |
Channel Islands | £9250 | year 1 |
Ireland | £9250 | year 1 |
EU | £15000 | year 1 |
International | £15000 | year 1 |
Additional fee information
Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.
Average student cost of living in the UK
Rent | £518 |
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) | £50 |
Supermarket shopping | £81 |
Clothing | £35 |
Eating out | £33 |
Alcohol | £27 |
Takeaways / food deliveries | £30 |
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) | £24 |
Holidays and weekend trips | £78 |
Transport within city | £17 |
Self-care / sports | £20 |
Stationary / books | £13 |
Mobile phone / internet | £13 |
Cable TV / streaming | £7 |
Insurance | £51 |
Other | £95 |
Average student cost of living | £1092 |
London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.
How to apply
Application deadline:
January 1, 2025
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Possible Entry Points:
- Foundation
University Rankings
Positions of Buckinghamshire New University in top UK and global rankings.
See all 7 university rankings of Buckinghamshire New University
About Buckinghamshire New University
Buckinghamshire New University, also known as Bucks, was founded in 1893, in the town of High Wycombe, South East England. This university has chosen to divide its academic offerings into seven separate schools, which is reflected in that learning resources such as libraries are located in their relevant areas to reduce crowding and also increase the ease of looking for the materials the student needs. Bucks has been the recipient of numerous awards, among which we can find the Silver Award from TEF.
List of 191 Bachelor and Master Courses from Buckinghamshire New University - Course Catalogue
Student composition of Buckinghamshire New University
-
Total number of students enrolled at Buckinghamshire New University by level Academic year 2021/22 - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
- undergraduates:
- 16465
- postgraduates:
- 860
- Total:
- 17325
-
Number of students enrolled in courses of subject “Computer Games Programming”: Academic year - Full-time equivalent student enrollments published by Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) on February 2022
Where is this programme taught
Similar courses
Program | University | Student satisfaction | Unemployed | Dropout | Tuition (UK) | Tuition (International) | UCAS Tariff | City | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Computer Games Development (with a foundation year) BSc | Staffordshire University | - | - | - | £9250 | £14000 | - | Stoke-on-Trent | On campus Full-time | |
Computer Games Programming with Foundation Year BSc (Hons) | University of Derby | 86% | 0% | 13% | £9250 | £14900 | 119 | Derby | On campus Full-time | |
Computer Games Programming BSc (Hons) | Staffordshire University | 92% | 7% | 25% | £9250 | £16750 | 147 | Stoke-on-Trent | On campus Full-time | |
Computer Games Development (with a placement year) BSc | Staffordshire University | - | - | - | £9250 | £16750 | - | Stoke-on-Trent | On campus Full-time | |
Computer Games Programming (with placement) BSc (Hons) | University of Gloucestershire | 79% | 10% | 10% | £9250 | £15000 £15450 | 110 | Cheltenham | On campus Full-time | |
Computer Games Programming (with a foundation year) BSc (Hons) | Staffordshire University | 85% | 7% | 14% | £9250 | £14000 | 61 | Stoke-on-Trent | On campus Full-time | |
Games Development (with Integrated Foundation Year) BSc (Hons) | University for the Creative Arts | - | - | - | £9250 | £17500 | - | Canterbury | On campus Full-time | |
Computer Games Development BSc (Hons) | Buckinghamshire New University | - | - | - | £9250 | £15000 | - | High Wycombe | On campus Full-time | |
Computer Games Programming BSc | University of Derby | 86% | 0% | 30% | £9250 | £14900 | 134 | Derby | On campus Full-time | |
Games Development BA (Hons) | Bath Spa University | - | - | - | £9250 | £16905 | - | Bath | On campus Full-time |